Photo: IOC/Chris Ricco.
One year after the handover from Thomas Bach to Kirsty Coventry, the 146th IOC Session marked a new stage in the implementation of the President's vision. The Fit for the Future process was the focus of discussions on Wednesday and Thursday in Lausanne, and clear foundations were laid to ensure the relevance and sustainability of the Olympic Movement, as envisioned by Kirsty Coventry.
Three years to determine the host of the 2036 Olympics
On Wednesday, the Session opened with a moment of tribute to Ung Chang, Sir Craig Reeedie, and Raja Randhir Singh, who passed away during the first half of the year. Kirsty Coventry then introduced the various presentations, highlighting " the quality of the ideas that emerged » in recent months, but also openness and honesty "of all the actors in the Olympic Movement in these discussions. The IOC President reiterated her vision: A Movement that listens, that engages people, that puts athletes at the center, and that is confident enough to evolve. We don't always agree, but what matters is that we continue to move forward together for the greater good of our Movement. »
The first major takeaway: as reported by Kyodo News, the host country for the 2036 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be chosen in 2029. A precise timeline has been presented. In March 2027, an initial selection will be made among the candidates, and some will advance to the "strategic dialogue" phase, during which they will have to provide financial guarantees and optimize their projects. At the end of 2028, the IOC Executive Board will begin targeted dialogue with potential hosts based on the recommendations of the Future Host Commission. A vote will then take place in mid-2029 during the IOC Session. Members will thus regain a more central role in the selection process. The IOC has also assured that regular exchanges will take place to involve the entire Olympic Movement.
$10,000 for each Olympian
To develop the Olympic program, the Session approved a new, more flexible methodology based on disciplines. Over the coming months, each discipline will be evaluated according to its global appeal, cost, operational complexity, and athlete representation. To prevent inflation, a limit has been set: the Organizing Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games (OCOG) may propose up to four additional disciplines for the Summer Games and two for the Winter Games. This methodology will be applied starting with the Brisbane 2032 Games.
« We need to try to put in place things that make us betterCoventry justifies this. The International Federations (IFs) have supported us in this process. We want to do this with them; we want to exchange ideas with each IF. There isn't necessarily a need to discuss certain disciplines, but there are others we need to talk about. This collaboration, these honest discussions, are very important to me. We're trying to do this with everyone. Not everyone will be happy, but I think everyone recognizes that this process is necessary. »
Another major announcement, coming amid the ongoing debate about Olympian compensation: the IOC will establish a $10.000 grant for all Olympians. Those who participated in the Milan-Cortina Winter Games will be the first to benefit. A $140 million fund will thus be created. I am very proud to have been able to share this great news. Now we have an opportunity to have a greater impactcommented Pau Gasol, chairman of the Athletes' Commission. The aim here is to highlight the journey and commitment required to become an Olympian. All applicants will be eligible and will decide whether to apply for the scholarship, using it as they see fit. Alternatively, they can choose not to apply, and the funds will be returned to the foundation to benefit future Olympians. "The first payments are expected in 2027."
On Thursday morning, the Session also approved the inclusion of ski mountaineering in the program for the 2030 Winter Games. Before the vote, Edgar Grospiron (President of the Paris 2020 Organizing Committee), Vincent Roberti (Director General), Mathilde Meurisse (Director of Sports), and Emily Harrop (double medalist at Milan-Cortina) each took the floor to defend the proposal to include the sprint, the mixed relay, and the individual event. These are " three complementary formats, which do not tell the same story of ski mountaineering, emphasizes Mathilde Meurisse. The sprint is about intensity, a short, spectacular, and easily predictable event. The mixed relay is about teamwork, with a strong emphasis on gender parity. The individual event is about endurance, technical skill, effort management, elevation gain, altitude, and the mountains at their most demanding. That's why we're so committed to it.. » And Emily Harrop concluded her remarks by saying: Thank you for believing in us. »
